Latch



LATCH R. K. NOTTINGHAM Filed March 4, 1947 March 6, 1951 Figui] fig/0 Patented Mar. 6, 1951 LATCH Ralph K. Nottingham, Portland, Oreg., assignor to Phillips Tutch-Latch Company, a corporation of Delaware Application March 4. 1947, serial No. 722,193

My present invention relates to a latch such as would be employed in the latching of a door to a cabinet. The invention is not to be limited to cabinet constructions since it may be used with any two members to be latched together, such as a cabinet and its door, a box and its lid, an automobile glove compartment and its door, a trunk and its lid, or any other of two similar pieces of equipment.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a latch which will be positive in action and cannot be accidentally separated, yet which will open at a slight touch of a finger, or at least by slight pressure upon a member included in the latch itself.

The present invention may be termed a touch latch in that it is designed to have an operating plunger exposed for digital engagement which will operate upon slight pressure applied by a linger.

An object of the present invention is to combine, in a structure having a closing member, a touch latch formed in accordance with the present invention and a spring loaded device causing the door or other similar member to spring open as soon as the latch is released by slight pressure of a finger. Therefore, the present invention may be used when the hands are full inasmuch as any portion of the back of the hand, such as a knuckle, may be utilized to press upon the releasing member whereupon the door will l,

spring open.

A further object of the present invention is to devise a latching device comprising a minimum of easily manufactured and easily assembled parts.

The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood 'from a study of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a cabinet or the like having the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale,

taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on a further enlarged V V scale, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 to 11 inclusive are partial side views of yalong line I2-I2 of Fig. 1.

9 Claims.' (Cl. 292-227) In Fig. l there is disclosed a cabinet I@ having a door II mounted thereon by means of hinges I2. The doorjs adapted to be latched in closed position by a latch including a sleeve I3 having a ange I 4 at its outer end adapted to lie against the surface of the door II and to be retained in that position by a nut I5 engaging threads on the sleeve after being slipped over the inwardly projecting end of the sleeve. The latch includes a plunger I6 having its outer end I1 exposed through the open end of the sleeve adjacent the flange I4.

The plunger I6 is slidably mounted within the sleeve I3 and comprises a reduced portion adjacent theouterendabout which iS coiled a compression spring I 8.y The sleeve I3 is of larger internal diameter from the flange I4 to a point adjacent the nut I5 than its diameter from nut I5 to its inner end. Therefore the spring I8 may bear against the inner end of the larger portion and will thrust the plunger I6 outwardly to a normal position with its end I1 exposed adjacent the flange I4. The spring is preferably of relatively light construction so that a light touch or pressure against the exposed end will compress the spring and cause relative movement of the plunger inwardly within the sleeve I3 until the convolutions of the spring are brought together to limit further inward movement.

The inner end of the sleeve I3 is provided with a slot 20, preferably held in its lower portion when the latch is assembled to the door. However, a feature of the present invention is that the sleeve may be mounted so that the slot 20 is exposed laterally or at the top of the sleeve rather than at the bottom of the sleeve, as long as the cooperating catch is so mounted as to engage the latch, as will presently appear.

The inner end of the plunger I3 is provided with a recess 2I which is adapted to be placed in line with the slot 20 through the wall of the sleeve I3. A dog 22 is pivotally mounted within the recess 2| and normally projects through the slot 2li beyond the outer'surace of the sleeve I3. The dog is pivotally mounted upon a spring 23 coiled about a pin 24 which extends transversely of the slot 2l. The pin 24 is preferably of substantially the same length as the diameter of the sleeve I3 and its projecting ends are receivable in slots 25 extending longitudinally inward a short distance from the end of the sleeve. One end 26 of the spring 23 is bent back parallel to the pin 24 to be receivable in a notch 21 extending longitudinally of the dog 22 from its pivot opening. The other end 28 of the spring 23 extends longitudinally away from the coil in the same direction as the end 26 but spaced therefrom substantially 180 degrees when the spring is in static condition. The end 28 normally projects beyond the face of the dog 22 and is engageable in the upper end of a slot 29 extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the plunger I5 through the ycenter of the bore therethrough through which pin 24 passes.

Assembly of the device is achieved. as follows:

The spring I8 is slipped over the plunger I6 untill it is entirely received within the reduced portion of the plunger. The plunger is then inserted into the sleeve from the end having the flange lll, being slidable freely until the spring I8 engages the end of the reduced portion of the inner surface of the sleeve whereupon slight pressure will cause compression of the spring until the end of the plunger projects inwardly beyond the inner end of the sleeve. The recess 2| is located in line with the recess 2 whereupon the dog 22 having the spring 23 mounted therein may be slipped into the recess 2| by compressing spring 23 and sliding the projecting end 28 through the recess 2| until it snaps into the slot 29. The pin 24 may now be inserted through the openings in plunger I6 and the interior of the coil spring 23. Upon releasing the compression of spring I8 the ends of the pin 24 will be receivable in the slots 25 and will limit outward movement of the plunger to the normal position illustrated in Fig. 2 with the ends of the pin bearing against the inner ends of the slots 25.

Due to the spring 23 having one end engaged with the plunger I6 and its other end at 180 degrees therefrom when not under tension and engaged with the dog 22, the dog 22 will normally occupy a position extending laterally from the sleeve I3 at substantially 180 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the plunger. 20 and recess 2| open from the ends of their respective devices so that the dog 22 may swing inwardly to lie within the projection of the sleeve I3 in a direction away from the end I'I, and are of such extent toward the end I'I that the dog may swing inwardly to lie within the plunger in the direction toward the end The outer end of the dog 22 is provided with an irregular contour defined by a forward rounded shoulder and a rear pointed projection 3| defining a recess therebetween toward the central portion of the dog. A catch comprising an upstanding inwardly slanting end 32 is mounted on the cabinet, in the illustration being mounted upon a shelf 33 forming a portion of the cabinet, by means of a pair of screws 34 passing through a portion of the catch. The portion 32 projects upwardly to terminate in a plane substantially coinciding with a projection of the lowermost element of the `sleeve I3 so as to present horizontal flange adjacent the slot 20 engageable by the projecting end of the dog 22. In Fig. 5 the dog is illustrated approaching the catch when the door is being brought to its closed position. In Fig. 6 is seen that the catch will engage the dog to swing it inwardly in one direction just prior to the complete closing of the door. When the door is completely closed the spring 2'3, which has been placed under tension by the swinging of the dog, will cause the dog to snap forward until limited by the projection 3| in which position the catch is engaged in the recess in the -end of the dog. Due to the dog being canted rearwardly upon its pivot the members cannot be separated. Even though it The slot f were possible to separate the members slightly such as by pulling a handle provided on the door, the only result would be to slide the pin outwardly in slots 25 until the limit of compression of spring I1 is reached whereupon further movement of the door would be prevented without breaking or bending some part by the application of destructive force. The latched position is seen in Fig. '7, while in Fig. 8 the unlatching operation is illustrated at its commencement. This is accomplished by causing relative movement between the plunger I6 and sleeve I3 until pin 24 reaches the end of the slots 25, at which point the projection 3| may ride over the catch 32, being caused to do that by the tension of spring 23. This causes the dog to assume its normal position projecting laterally from the sleeve. Upon release of the plunger I6 the plunger will retract until the pin 211 strikes the ends of slots 25 as seen in Fig. 9. The dog may now swing inwardly in the opposite direction as seen in Fig. 10 when the door and cabinet are separated.

It is preferred, in order that the door may open automatically upon release of the dog, that a device such as disclosed in Fig. 12 be incorporated in the cabinet or the like. This device comprises a plunger 35 having an enlarged head 336 riding within a thimble 31 which is mounted in the cabinet I adjacent the edge of the door II on which the hinges I2l are mounted. The plunger 35 has a flange at its inner end to limit outward movement of the plunger against the tension of a compressed spring 38. When the door is closed, as seen in Fig. 12-, the spring 38 is compressed and the head 36 presses against the door II in a direction tending to open the door. Accordingly, as soon as the finger is removed from the head II of the plunger I6, the door will y open of its own accord, thus causing the dog 22 to ride over the catch 32 as seen in Fig. 10. As soon as the dog has cleared the catch it will assume its normal position, as seen in Fig. 11, due to the spring 23 seeking its untensioned state. The latch is now ready again to latch the door in closed position as soon as it is brought into that position.

Having illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same permits of modifications in arrangement and detail. All such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims are considered to be a part of my invention.

I claim:

l. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a first spring biasing said plunger into a normal position with respect to said sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger being recessed to permit said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a second spring biasing said dog to rest in projecting position, and a catch adapted to be mounted on the other of the two members in position to swing the dog in one direction until it partially passes over the catch when the two members are brought together, said dog having an irregular contour on its outer end dening a recess adapted to receive said catch when the members are brought together, eseparation thereof being posslidably mounted in said sleeve, a first spring sur- 'l rounding said plunger and biasing said plunger into a normal position with respect to said sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger being recessed to permit said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing y inwardly in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and a second spring biasing said dog to rest in projecting position, said dog having an irregular contour on its outer end defining a recess adapted to receive a catchI on the other of the members when the members the brought together.

3. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, said sleeve having aflange adapted to lie against theA outer surface of the door, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a iirst spring biasing said plunger into a normal position with respect to said sleeve 'with its outer end adjacent said flange, la dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger being recessed to permit said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a second spring biasing said dog to rest in projecting position, and a` catch slidably mounted in said sleeve, a first spring jbiasing said plunger into a normal position with respect to said sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted adapted to be mounted on the other of the two members in position to engage the dog when the two members are brought together, said dog having an irregular contour on its -outer end defining a recess adapted to receive said catch when the members are brought together, separation thereof being possible only by pushing inwardly on the outer end of said plunger to compress said first spring and cause the dog to pass beyond the catch after which the dog may ride over the catch as the members are separated.

4. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a rst spring biasing said plunger into a normal position with respect to said-sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger being recessed to permit said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a second spring biasing said dog to rest in projecting position, said second spring being arranged to provide the pivotal bearing surface for said dog, and a catch adapted to be mounted on the other of the two members in position to swing the dog'in one direction until it partially passes over the catch when the two members are brought together, said dog having an irregular contour on its outer end defining a recess adapted to receive said catch when the members are brought together, separation thereof being possible only by compressing said first spring to cause the plunger to carry the dog beyond the catch, after which the dog may swing in the other direction and ride over the catch as the members are separated. Y

5. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, a. plunger on said plunger', said plunger being recessed to permit said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a second spring biasing said dog to rest in projectingposition, a pin passing laterally through said plunger and providing pivotal support for said dog, slots extending longitudinally of said sleeve 'for reception of the ends of said pin, said second 'spring being coiled about said pin to form a bearing surface for said dog, anda catch adapted to be mounted on the other of the two members in position to swing the dog in one direction until it partially passes over the catch when the two members are brought together, said dog having an irregular contour on its outer end defining a recess adapted to receive said catch when the members are brought together, separation thereof being possible only by compressing said first spring to cause the plunger to carry the dog beyond the catch, after which the dog may swing in the other direction and ride over the catch as the members are separated.

6. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve, a first spring biasing said plunger into a normal position with respect-to said sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger and said sleeve being recessed to permit said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a second spring biasing said dog to rest in projecting position, a pin passing laterally through said plunger and providing the pivotal support for said dog, slots extending longitudinally of said sleeve for reception of the ends of said pin, said second spring being coiled about said pin to form a bearing surface for said dog, one end of said second spring being anchored in a slot in said dog and the other end thereof anchored in a slot in said plunger, and a catch adapted to be mounted on the other of the two members in position to swing the dog in one direction until it partially passes over the catch when the two members are brought together, said dog having an irregular contour on its outer end defining a recess adapted to receive said catch when the members are brought together, separation thereof being possible only by compressing said first spring to cause the plunger to carry the dog beyond the catch, after which the dog may swing in the other direction and ride over the catch as the members are separated.

7. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve with its outer end normally exposed, a first spring biasing said plunger into normal position with respect to said sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger being recessed to permit the outer end of said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly at least partially into said plunger in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of said plunger, and a second spring normally biasing said dog to rest in an intermediate, laterally projecting position, said second spring being arranged to provide a bearing surface upon which said dog is supported.

'8. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet. a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve with its outer end normally exposed, a rst spring biasing said plunger into normal position with respect to said sleeve, a dog pivotally mounted on said plunger, said plunger and said sleeve being recessed to permit the outer end of said dog to project laterally beyond said sleeve or to swing inwardly at least partially into said plunger in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis o f said plunger, a second spring normally biasing said dog to rest in an intermediate,A laterally projecting position, and a pin passing laterally through said plunger upon which said dog is pivotally mounted, said sleeve having longitudinally extending slots for reception of the ends of said pin, and said second spring being coiled about said pin to form the pivotal bearing surface for said dog.

9. A latch comprising a sleeve adapted to be mounted upon one of two members to be latched together, such as a door for a cabinet, a plunger slidably mounted in said sleeve with its outer end normally exposed, a first,| spring biasing said plunger into normal position with respect to said sleeve. a dos pvotally mounted .o n. said plunger. said plunger being recessed to permit the outer end of said dog to project laterally beyond Said Sleeve or te swing inwardly at least partially into said plunger in either direction in line with the longitudinal axis of said plunger, a second spring normally biasing saidv dog to rest in an intermediate, laterally projecting position, and a pin passing laterally through said plunger upon which said dog is pivotally mounted, said second spring being coiled about said pin to provide the pivotal bearing surface for said dog and a part of said second spring being anchored in said dog and another part thereof being anchored in said rillingen RALPH K, NOTTlNGHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,370,976 Knowlson et al.y Mar. 8, 1,9211 1,685,274 Cramer Sept. 25, 1928 1,728,693 Moore et al Sept. i7, 1929 2,039,048 Agterberg N f r Apr. 28,` 1936 2,047,401 Whitted July 14, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date.

184,257 Great Britain. Tf-,- Aus. 8, 1,922 

